Assassination of Ayatollah Mohammed Baqir al-Hakim
August 29th, 2003
August 29th, 2003

How Long Ago?
21 years, 6 months, 15 days ago
Location
Najaf, Iraq
Category
Politics & Government
War/Conflict
Iraq War
People
- Mohammed Baqir al-Hakim
Links & References
- Assassination
- Shia Islam
- Iraq
- Ayatollah
- Mohammad Baqir al-Hakim
- Mosque
- Sayyid
- 2003 Imam Ali Shrine bombing
- Najaf
Tags
Assassination of Ayatollah Mohammed Baqir al-Hakim
Ayatollah Mohammed Baqir al-Hakim, a prominent Shia Muslim leader in Iraq, was assassinated in a terrorist bombing in Najaf. The attack occurred as he was leaving a mosque after Friday prayers, resulting in the deaths of nearly 100 worshippers. This tragic incident highlighted the sectarian violence in Iraq amidst a backdrop of conflict following the Iraq War.
Ayatollah al-Hakim led the SCIRI.
The bombing killed nearly 100 people.
The attack targeted Shia Muslim worshippers.
Al-Qaeda-linked militants claimed responsibility.
What Happened?
Ayatollah Mohammed Baqir al-Hakim was a leading Shia cleric and the head of the Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution in Iraq (SCIRI). He had returned to Iraq in 2003 after years of exile and was a major figure in advocating for Shia rights in the post-Saddam Hussein era. On August 29, he was conducting Friday prayers at the Imam Ali Mosque in Najaf when a powerful car bomb detonated as he was leaving the mosque, killing him instantly. The bombing also claimed the lives of around 100 worshippers who were walking out of the mosque at the time, causing significant casualties and injuries. The attack was attributed to al-Qaeda-linked militants who targeted Shia leaders to incite sectarian strife in Iraq, which was already reeling from instability following the U.S.-led invasion.This assassination marked a pivotal moment in the Iraqi landscape, demonstrating the dangers faced by political and religious leaders within a country experiencing an identity crisis in the aftermath of regime change. Ayatollah al-Hakim's death further polarized the Sunni-Shia divide, triggering a wave of retaliatory violence and escalating sectarian tensions. His funeral was attended by thousands, marking not only a moment of mourning but also a rallying point for Shia unity against the threat posed by Sunni extremism. Al-Hakim was celebrated as a martyr, and his death sparked protests and calls for revenge against Sunni communities, contributing to the growing cycle of violence in Iraq as militant groups exploited the chaos of the post-war period.
Why Does it Matter?
The assassination of Ayatollah Mohammed Baqir al-Hakim is significant as it exemplified the deepening sectarian divides in Iraq, which have had lasting implications for the country's stability. This event underscored the vulnerability of Shia leaders and communities amidst a backdrop of political power struggles post-invasion. The heightened sectarian violence resulted in large-scale conflicts that shaped Iraq's political landscape for years to come, influencing subsequent policies and the rise of groups like ISIS.
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